Lifestyles of Nursing Students

Abstract

Introduction: Lifestyle is considered a determinant of the development of several chronic non-communicable diseases and has the potential to influence academic performance and quality of life of nursing students. Objective: To evaluate the lifestyle of students of the bachelor's degree in nursing at the University Institute of the Argentine Federal Police during the second semester of 2023. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile - II (HPLP-II) instrument by Nola Pender, consisting of 52 items and grouped into six dimensions, was used. Results: We surveyed 96 students with a mean age of 26,85 years (SD: 8,27), mostly female (85,42 %), single (77,08 %), without children (71,88 %), and employed (53,13 %). The Physical Activity dimension had the lowest mean score of 15,88 out of 32,00, and the Self-Fulfillment dimension had the highest mean score of 68,32 out of 36,00. The students' lifestyle was rated as healthy in 7,29 %, regular in 61,46 % and unhealthy in 31,25 %. Conclusion: The lifestyle of the studied students was mostly regular. Older age, male gender and being in the fifth year of the curriculum were associated with a better lifestyle.